Winemaker Notes
In this sunny region east of Alba, Barbera is king, and growers like Pietro Arditi of Cantine Valpane take the grape very seriously. While it can age for a few more years, its rich, juicy fruit and plump texture make it hard to resist today, especially when served with tomato-based pastas, pizza, or even a burger.
Attracting the most glory, prestige and fame to the Piedmont region, Nebbiolo in all of its expressions—Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero, Ghemme and Gattinara—creates a complex wine, truly unique for its delicate qualities combined with strength and a great potential to improve over time.
But Nebbiolo isn’t all there is to red wine from Piedmont! Barbera is the most planted variety and historically most popular as a dependable, food-friendly, everyday wine.
Beyond these two, a surprising number of red varieties call Piedmont their home. Worth a try include Dolcetto for its bold concentration and aromas of spice cake. Other grapes to investigate include Freisa, Croatina, Brachetto, Grignolino and Pelaverga.